Gladys Rose Wilcox

Gladys Rose Wilcox, the daughter of Christopher and Lola Crook Clare, was born March 4, 1921 in Emmetsburg, IA.  Her childhood years were spent in Emmetsburg where she attended country school, St Mary’s and Public High School.

     Gladys married James Wilcox on November 12, 1937, in Pocahontas, IA.  The early years of their marriage were spent in Emmetsburg before moving to Spencer in 1943.  Since that time, with the exception of two and a half years spent in Greeley, CO from 1953 to 1955, James and Gladys made their home in Spencer.  Gladys worked at Maid Rite, Richeys Super Market as manager of the bakery, where she learned to make her delicious mile high cream pies.  Later in life, she was the manager of Gift House Stamps prior to her 30 years with Montgomery Ward in Spencer.  She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church serving on prayer chain, hospital visitor, financial secretary, Circle, St. Luke Lutheran Home representative and Sunday school teacher.  Gladys also volunteered for Hospice, Hospital Auxiliary serving as President in 1985, 1988 and 1992, Babes Program, RSVP and St. Luke Care Committee.  Gladys had her life long dream come true in 1999, when she, her two daughters and a sister went to Ireland.  They started in Shannon and traveled completely around Ireland seeing many beautiful sites, castles, churches and searching for any family ties and loving the beautiful green country.  In her spare time, Gladys enjoyed quilting, sewing, crocheting, cross stitching, genealogy and was always up for a good game of scrabble.  Most of all, Gladys loved spending time with her family.  Her family was her everything and she was considered the family Matriarch.

     Gladys passed away on April 11, 2020 at St. Luke Lutheran Home in Spencer at the age of 99.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James on December 29, 1997; her son-in-law, Terry Christensen; Sisters Jeanne Ridgeway, Kate Westerman, Nancy Seaver, Margaret Shaver, Helen Baggs, Elsie Reed and one brother Christopher Clare, Jr.

     She is survived by her daughters: Lois Christensen of Spencer, IA and Sherrie (Roger) Green of Spencer, IA. Sister Janet Davis of Lacon, IL. Grandchildren: Tony (Rita) Christensen of Rochester, MN, Lance (Lori) Christensen, Spencer, IA, Kelly (Brian) Norsdchow, Decorah, IA, Shannon (Debbie) Green, Spencer, IA Angi Green Hill, Gilbert, AZ, Dawn (Clay) Fletcher, Spencer, IA, Darci Green, Hugo, MN.  13 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

     The Family would like to give a very special thank you to Mother's wonderful caregivers at St. Luke Lutheran Home.  You were all very special to her.

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